Chhattisgarh proposes fast-track courts for rape cases

Raipur: In the wake of the state-wide protests over the Kanker rape case, Raman Singh-led BJP government has decided to send a proposal to the Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court to set up fast-track courts in all the districts for speedy disposal of rape cases.

"While talking to a delegation of Akhil Bharatiya Gondwana Gond Mahasabha (ABGGM), Chief Minister said the state government has decided to send the proposal to Chief Justice to set up fast-track courts in each district," a government official said in a statement here on January 20.

The CM also said the accused in rape cases should be given stringent punishment as early as possible.

The delegation of ABGGM, comprising its National Chief SP Shori, Member of Parliament (MP) Sohan Potai and others, met CM at his official residence last night and handed over a memorandum stating several suggestions to ensure safety of tribal girls in government residential schools and hostels.

"A women's vigilance committee comprising local women public representatives will be constituted for each residential (ashram) school and hostels for tribal girls to carry out routine inspection. The female public representatives, including panch, sarpanch and corporators, will be inducted into the committees," the statement quoted Singh as saying during the discussion.

The committee will meet the parents of the inmates of the residential schools and hostels at least once a month to enquire about the problems faced by the children. The Chief Minister also said the accused in rape cases should be given stringent punishment as early as possible.

"For this, the state government will request the Chief Justice of the High Court to establish fast-track courts in each district and deliver justice in such cases within the stipulated time so that cases related to sexual harassment of women could be disposed early," the statement said.

The incident of sexual assault on minor inmates of the government-run residential school for tribal girls in Jhaliyamari village of Kanker district was reported to police on January 6, following which a contract teacher and school watchman were arrested.